When last minutes deals heat up in the holiday cruise industry, so does the demand for acquiring passports in a rush.

Its fantastic to come across a great holiday cruise deal, but what if the cruise sails 10 days from now and you don’t have a valid passport?

In this fast paced society, more and more people are discovering the demand to acquire passports quickly, but a lot are finding it as a beneficial problem to experience.

It is simple math. If an individual saves up to $400 off the normal price of a last minute cruise, but has to pay $150 for passport expediting, then it is well worth it.

In the past passport expediting services were mostly used for business travel.

But with all the great holiday deals now available through online offers and discount companies, it has become the norm for the everyday person to also use these services.

The surge in last minute holiday deals over the last few years has increased the need greatly.

If somebody needs to acquire a passport quickly, the majority of people are now aware of this passport expediting option.

By utilizing conventional channels, it still requires 6 to 8 weeks or more to receive a valid passport, but when people have their passports expedited, they can receive their new or renewed passport often in as little as a few days.

To the normal person considering a relaxing holiday cruise, the cruise passport rules can be particularly confusing.

There are websites like CruisePassports.com that can assist in clearing up the confusion by explaining passport requirements in easy to understand terms for holiday travelers.

The website also furnishes clients with direct access to a reputable passport expeditor.

As explained by a company representative, “Our website is frequently visited by people trying to figure out if they need a passport for their upcoming cruise, and while some of this information can be found on the various cruise line websites, we consolidate it all in one place.”

The recent surge in last minute cruise specials, is believed to be attributed by some to the recent cruise events including several cruise ship breakdowns at sea.

Whether these special bargains are a consequence of cruise industry in damage control or not, what has not changed is that cruising is still a very popular holiday choice for many old and new travelers.

More and more people are acquiring passports and frequently arranging them successfully just days before their cruise through passport expediting services.

June the 1st is the official commencement of the hurricane season for 2013, and forecasts sounding out right now say that we might be in for another wild one.

For example, an powerful forecast from meteorologists at Colorado State University proposes that the Atlantic area — which includes the Caribbean — will encounter 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

An ordinary season wreaks 12 storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

The prospect comprises unwanted news for travelers who recall the disturbances and harm created last October by Hurricane Sandy, which merged with two other different storm systems to finally slam into the East Coast as a frightening super-storm.

“Who would have ever imagined that so many masses would have been stranded for so long in New York?” says Linda Kundell, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Travel Insurance Association.

And although the bulk of hurricanes hit in August, September and October, the 2012 season jumped the gun in May with tropical storms Alberto and Beryl. The season normally ceases around Nov. 30.

Here are seven expert tips on how to protect your vacation during the height of hurricane season.

‘Insure’ your trip goes well

Shop around. No two travel insurance policies are exactly the same, warns consumer advocate Christopher Elliott. “They vary based on your age, state of residence and coverage,” says Elliott, author of “Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles and Shady Deals.”

He recommends that travelers get prices from at least two of the three most common sources of travel insurance: travel insurance companies; travel agents; and travel providers, such as airlines, cruise lines or tour operators.

Expect to pay a premium equal to 4 percent to 8 percent of your trip’s prepaid, nonrefundable cost, he says, though a less restrictive “cancel for any reason” policy can cost as much as 10 percent.

Buy early. Once a tropical storm has formed, you won’t be able to buy travel insurance for trips potentially in its path. “If it’s already been named and sighted, it will be too late,” Kundell says. Purchasing your insurance at the same time you book your trip ensures you’ll have protection for cancellations and interruptions, she says.

Examine the fine print. “It’s better to ask about your policy and what it does and doesn’t cover before it becomes an issue,” Elliott says. Call if you have any questions as soon as you receive your insurance documents. Many travel insurance companies give customers up to 10 days to cancel and receive a refund if the policy doesn’t meet their needs, he says.

Keep receipts. Most travel insurance policies require you to pay any covered expenses upfront and then submit for reimbursement. So keeping track of your expenses in a verifiable way is crucial, Kundell says. “Keep receipts for everything,” she says, including hotel rooms, transportation and meals.

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]]>http://www.news4us.com/as-u-s-hurricane-season-approaches-insurance-travel-tips-go-up/2217668/feed/0Morocco a Multi-Cultural Country & Magnetic Tourist Attraction for People From all Over the Worldhttp://www.news4us.com/morocco-a-multi-cultural-country-magnetic-tourist-attraction-for-people-from-all-over-the-world/2217492/
http://www.news4us.com/morocco-a-multi-cultural-country-magnetic-tourist-attraction-for-people-from-all-over-the-world/2217492/#respondWed, 08 May 2013 06:31:57 +0000http://www.news4us.com/?p=17492(News4us.com) May 08, 2013

Morocco a Multi-Cultural Country & Magnetic Tourist Attraction for People From all Over the World

Morocco, a North African country, is a wonderful God-gifted combination of mountains, sea, desert and jungles; which can fulfill all the passions for nature-loving tourists.

Here one can be regenerated with the fresh fragrance of all the treasures of nature, while enjoying all the modern amenities of large cities.

Some of the great tourist attractions of Morocco include:-
Djemaa El-Fna – a great square in the centre of the city of Marakkesh, which provides all types of entertainment day and night, with different charming shows and tasty food.

Aït Benhaddou – a fortified but rarely inhibited city on the way to Sahara from Marakkesh.

Fes-al-Bali – the largest city with the bigger medina town, adorned by historic gates.

Draa valley – a superbly attractive valley situated on the south of High Atlas Mountains, lined with native villages and palm groves and the Draa river running through it.

Chefchaouen – a beautiful hill station, situated in northeast Morocco, arranged with houses colored in a strange combination of either white or blue.

Volubilis – a town established by Romans after the land was conquered centuries ago, still attracts tourists with superb Roman architectural examples.

Meknes – an Imperial city built in Spanish and Moorish design, containing many historical structures, along with its natural beauty.

Todra Gorge – a great canyon carved by nature on the east of the Atlas Mountains, with even rocky walls, eroded by rivers Dades and Todra.

Mouth-watering cuisine found in the country:
The culture of Morocco has been influenced by several foreign cultures like Mediterranean and European, apart from its very own African and Arabian traditions.

So its cuisine has many variations as well.

One can easily find many foreign dishes here, along with local Berber or Moorish cuisine.

Moroccan dishes are quite rich in flavor, including their sweets.

The most popular local dishes are Tajine – a cuisine prepared from meat and fruits, the traditional soup called Harira, and of course the national food item Couscous.

Green tea with mint leaves is served everywhere, though various types of red or white wine and beer are available too.

The cultural traditions of Morocco to entertain the foreign tourist:
The most popular local festival is Aid el Arch, celebrated every year pompously to commemorate the coronation of King Mohammad VI.

Another festival is Fez, which is a great musical conference.

Other immensely enjoyable celebrations of Morocco are South of Marakkesh – a kind of fest where all types of commodities are displayed for sale; and Celebration of the Throne – a ceremony celebrated with crackers.

Morocco is very hospitable, with plenty of hotels, restaurants and casinos for the entertainment of tourists. It has a smooth transport system traversing the country, alongside its wonderfully rich cultural heritage.

So it is really a life-time experience to visit and enjoy the African country of Morocco.

Australians are engaging in more national overnight vacations according to numbers from the recently released National Visitor Survey issued by Tourism Research Australia.

“Good growth in domestic tourism in 2012 is positive news for the tourism industry and it is heartening to see growth accelerate later in the year with a strong December quarter for domestic overnight travel,” Minister Ferguson said.

“Much of the growth over the year can be attributed to those visiting friends and relatives, which rose seven per cent, while visitor nights and overnight expenditure for this purpose increased by nine per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

“The type of accommodation used reflected the growth in the visiting friends and relatives segment with nights spent in a friend’s or relatives’ property up 8 per cent. Nights spent in caravan and camping accommodation increased 10 per cent and rented accommodation increased 6 per cent.

“Domestic day travel also grew strongly in 2012 with trips up eight per cent to 174 million and day trip expenditure increasing 11 per cent to $18.2 billion.”

Domestic overnight trips delivered solid results in 2012 with overnight trips and nights up four per cent to 74.5 million and 282 million respectively whilst expenditure climbed three per cent to $50 billion.

This increase was supported by a solid December quarter where trips and nights increased by nine per cent and expenditure grew by four per cent.

Intrastate getaways – or journey’s inside Australian’s own state – expanded by five per cent and intrastate visitor nights by six per cent. Interstate travelling demonstrated more improvement in the December quarter after a comparatively level twelve months.

Heading the increase in domestic travel were the Northern Territory with an 11 per cent increase in overnight trips, the Australian Capital Territory with a nine per cent increase, and WA recording 8 per cent increase.

GBR Helicopters has achieved a long term objective by securing major contracts with Telstra Corporation and MMG Limited (operator of Century Mine near Karumba).

This success is in line with the company’s business strategy to develop commercial operations across regional Queensland and the Torres Strait.

The establishment of an operational base on Horn Island in the Torres Strait and a focus on expanding the company’s commercial charter market were key objectives for GBR Helicopters’ new owners, Chris Cooper and Ian Johnson when they acquired the business in August 2010.

Managing Director, Chris Cooper said substantial investment and effort required to diversify GBR Helicopters’ business model from its tourism origins is now paying dividends.

“It is extremely satisfying to begin what we set out to and has provided a powerful start to 2013.”

“In bidding to secure the Telstra and MMG Limited contracts and fulfil the standards required, GBR Helicopters was able to leverage from its award-winning tourism operation to ensure comprehensive safety accreditation, quality management and aircraft as well as professional and highly skilled pilots and staff.”

Telstra’s agreement with GBR Helicopters is to provide Australia’s leading telecommunications company with aerial charter services across its key operating locations on the Cape York Peninsula, including Cairns, Cooktown, Weipa and the Torres Strait.

According to Mr Cooper, GBR Helicopters’ contract to provide aircraft support services to MMG Limited is effective for two years and entails regular aerial surveillance and support across Century’s mining and processing operation at Lawn Hill and Port facility at Karumba, on the Gulf of Carpentaria.

This expansion across regional Queensland and the Torres Strait and growth in commercial charter services has led to a substantial increase in the business’s staff. GBR Helicopters currently employees 18 pilots and has a fleet of 12 aircraft.

About GBR Helicopters

GBR Helicopters employs over 50 staff. Its company headquarters are located at Cairns Airport. The company also operates bases in the Cairns CBD, Port Douglas and Horn Island in the Torres Strait.

GBR Helicopters’ tourism division is the exclusive provider of helicopter services to the major Reef Cruise Operators including Great Adventures and Green Island, Quicksilver Cruises, Reef Magic and Sunlover Cruises – servicing their activity pontoons on the Great Barrier Reef.

As a result of these marine based activities, Great Barrier Reef Helicopters has earned the distinction of conducting the highest number of single engine offshore helicopter landings per annum – worldwide.

The Company’s Commercial operation provides services to a broad range of customers in a variety of industries and support roles including MMG Limited’s Century Mine, Telstra, Ergon Energy, Queensland Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Environment & Heritage Protection.

It is also contracted to provide 24 hour Marine Pilot Transfer services to operators of bulk carrier cargo ships navigating the Great Barrier Reef.

Rick Von says that his website Motel-Coupons.com has been around since the early days of the internet. Mr. Von said “We have always been dedicated to customer satisfaction and our long standing relationship with Priceline has secured us deals you won’t find anywhere else”.

Our conclusion:

I myself as a journalist travel all the time, and that is what lead me to want to find out how these amazing hotel deals are possible.

We suggest next time you’re looking for a great deal on a vacation or hotel room. you visit Rick Vons website motel-coupons.com

The Netspace Culinary Art School is quickly emerging as a leading player within the exotic Vietnamese culinary scene.

With the recent launch of its new website http://www.cookingclass.com.vn, everyone can now see the many culinary wonders available and get information on the cooking classes to easily learn how to cook exotic Vietnamese dishes.

At the Netspace Culinary Art School they understand that enjoying cooking is all about being confident, relaxed and understanding the key ingredients to making a mouth watering Vietnamese dish.

In the schools words, “Chefs of the future are being trained in these cooking classes, through their experiences gained within creating the perfect Vietnam dish.

Here you can learn healthy cooking and experience the tastes and textures of Vietnamese cuisine.”

The cooking classes are available in half day lessons consisting of either morning, afternoon or evening sessions, where the participants will discover the art and delight in creating time-honored Vietnam recipes.

Each recipe is precisely taught with a few secret tips and tricks thrown in for good measure.

The course is provided to anyone from beginners to experienced cooks and is especially ideal for those holidaying within Ho Chi Minh City with fixed time restraints.

Enjoying cooking is all about confidence, being relaxed and understanding the ingredients.

Class members experiment with new flavors and combine the freshest ingredients with techniques, to build their knowledge of the Vietnamese cuisine.

All cooking courses are conducted within a professional yet relaxed atmosphere creating the ideal way to combine a holiday while enhancing your culinary expertise.

It has been described by past class members as, “A unique opportunity to really dive into the joy of cooking and try your hands at becoming a Vietnamese cook”.

The website also covers professional courses for those looking for a more intense and focused approach to Vietnamese cooking.

‘The Chef Course’ provides individualized instruction to people, whether they are an amateur stay-at-home enthusiast or a chef looking to expand their skills to more exotic cuisines.

Advanced cooking classes are on offer, ranging from 10 days to 1 month in duration.

About Netspace Culinary Art School

The Netspace Culinary Art School is an honoured associate of the Ho Chi Minh Tourism Association (HTA) through its culinary expertise in local Vietnamese dishes and its partnership with the prestigious SaiGon Professional Chef’s Guild.

Their motto encompasses having a deep and growing passion for the Vietnamese cuisine, with a burning desire to bring its unique taste and magic to the next generation.

Hotels nationwide have decided to go on a rampage this festive season by increasing the quality of services that they will offer to family and friends who seek accommodation during the Christmas holidays.

Executive restaurant and room services, visits to tourist attractions within the hotels vicinity and offering standard spa and fitness services are some of the events they have decided to go wild on this festive season to increase comfort in the hotels.

According to the hotels management, December happens to be one of the times that they have a lot of families and friends booking at an earlier date so that they do not miss out in staying at their desired hotel for the season.

As a result, they get good returns and this being the time when people need to relax and enjoy their holiday; they had to change the design and mode in which they have served their esteemed visitors in order to make this season a memorable one.

“Due to the high number of tourists who will be flocking to a number of hotels nationwide, they need to feel more than at home by how they will be looked after while in their stay at the hotel.”

“This time round, the tourists nationwide who choose to seek accommodation in any hotel nationwide will have a very interesting experience and a wonderful story to tell,” said Hotel Managements.

Hotels will also have a number of packages set aside for every age group.

There will be fun activities for kids, teenagers and for the adults. There will be bouncing castles, playing with sumo suits and boat riding for the kids just to mention a few.

And for the teens, they will have drama sessions where they will write their own plays and dramatize them, have poetry parties in the museum designed rooms, go to a sporting event, have relay races and play volleyball on the sandy beaches.

On the other hand, adults will have fun and constructive activities like team building, strengthening relationship activities, and counseling, fun activities for couples, dancing, art and crafts and many more.

The list of the activities for the tourists this season is endless and they are encouraged to look for hotels nationwide and reserve a space right away.

With only four days remaining to Christmas, everyone is in a jolly mood and shopping for supplies to use before the main day.

For those that feel they need a different experience this festive season, it is highly advisable to look through some of the nation’s hotels and choose one that they prefer so as not to miss out on the fun and experiences designed by hotel management.

Contact any hotel nationwide today to reserve your space for this festive season and to see the New Year in with style.

Taking a Caribbean cruise is certainly one of the most popular vacation ideas that thousands of families pursue every year.

But for those who are not experienced in choosing and booking the right type of ship and travel package, they can miss out on special deals or destinations that they might have benefited from even more.

For those that have never taking a Caribbean cruise or haven’t gone in a long time, here are a few good tips when planning your Caribbean adventure.

The very first step should be to plan well in advance your Caribbean vacation.

If your target date is six months out or more, especially during the holiday season will give you more options to choose.

The longer you wait, the fewer options you will have.

Next, just how many people are going on a Caribbean cruise vacation? There are cruise ships for couples as well as for families with children as well.

You should look through the cruise guide that you can find on the websites that offer Caribbean cruises to see what particular interest that they cater.

This way, you can find the best Caribbean cruises that are tailored for your situation.

The next step is choosing the right cruise line once you have narrowed your choices depending on how many are going.

You can read cruise ship reviews to see if there is a pattern of either good or not so good service that has been reported by those who have taken a particular cruise line before.

Most Caribbean cruise lines are reputable and offer great service, so you should stick with those choices.

Once you’ve chosen your cruise line, now you must set the itinerary.

This means creating with the cruise line the package that you want which includes shopping excursions, dining and visiting particular beaches.

Some cruise companies do not include going on-shore as part of their packages however, so do plan accordingly.

As part of your itinerary, you will need to set the amount of days you want your cruise experience to be.

Generally speaking, the range is from 3 to 10 nights so you should pick the one that best suits your plans.

Remember that the winter season is often crowded, so keep that in mind.

Short cruises are perfect for weekend getaways while longer cruises allow you to see more of the Caribbean, so pick the one that is right for you.

Travel documentation and passports are part of every Caribbean cruise, so you should make sure your paperwork and passport is up to date.

If you have questions, talk to the travel agent who has helped set your plans for the cruise so that you know what to bring.

Also, be sure to ask your travel agent about all of what the cruise package entails. The more details you get, the better you can enjoy your cruise.

These few tips will help you enjoy your Caribbean adventure of the seas even more.

Remember, the further in advance you make you plans, the more options, services and potential discounts that you can enjoy as you sail around the Caribbean enjoying the perfect cruise.